After
British aircraft bombed a submarine contact at
0600 in 58‑21N, 2‑51W, destroyers ASHANTI,
COSSACK (D.4), MAORI, and ECHO were ordered to
hunt for the submarine. ASHANTI departed Scapa
Flow and joined the other destroyers at sea.
ECHO had left Scapa Flow at 0800 escorting
minelayer ATREUS to Greenock, but shortly after
departure, was detached to join them.

_____

Destroyer
WALKER departed the Clyde at 0700 escorting
troopship EMPRESS OF BRITAIN (42,348grt) to
Liverpool. After delivering her, WALKER returned
to the Clyde.

After
British aircraft bombed a submarine contact in
55‑02N, 5‑38W, destroyer WALKER and escort ship
JASON were ordered at 2226 to hunt for the
submarine, but failed to make contact.

_____

Hunt
class destroyer GARTH completed, and worked up
at Scapa Flow in the 23rd Destroyer Division
before transferring to the 21st Destroyer
Flotilla, arriving at Sheerness on 28 August.

_____

Convoy
FN.210 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer
WOLSEY, sloop EGRET, and patrol sloop MALLARD,
and arrived in the Tyne on the 3rd.

_____

Convoy
MT.100 departed Methil, and arrived in the Tyne
on the 2nd.

_____

Convoy
FS.209 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloops
BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS, and arrived at Southend
on the 2nd.

_____

U.52
refuelled from German tanker BESSEL (1878grt) at
Vigo.

_____

U.26
damaged steamer ZARIAN (4871grt) in convoy
OA.175 in 48‑03N, 11‑11W, and corvette GLADIOLUS
stood by her overnight. Destroyer VANSITTART,
escorting tug SALVONIA (571grt) to meet ZARIAN,
attacked and sank U.102 with the loss
of all 43 crew off Ushant in 48-33N, 10-26W.
U.102 was on her first war patrol, had attacked
a convoy on 30 June off North Channel, and was
not heard from again, believed lost, cause
unknown, but probably mined off the southwest of
Ireland. However recent investigation has now
attributed her loss to VANSITTART.

_____

U.30
sank steamers BEIGNON (5218grt) in
47‑20N, 10‑30W and CLEARTON (5219grt) of
convoy SL.36 in 47‑53N, 09‑30W. BEIGNON had
previously picked up the survivors from steamer
AVELONA STAR (13,376grt). One crewman was lost,
two missing and three survivors from AVELONA
STAR missing from BEIGNON, with destroyer VESPER
picking up the survivors.

Eight
crew were lost on the steamer CLEARTON.
Destroyers VESPER and WINDSOR picked up the
survivors of CLEARTON 240 miles 42° from The
Smalls.

_____

U.29
sank Greek steamer ADAMASTOS (5889grt) in
46‑20N, 14‑30W.

The
entire crew was rescued.

_____

U.65
damaged Dutch steamer AMSTELLAND (8156grt) in
47‑53N, 13‑23N.

_____

German
heavy cruiser PRINZ EUGEN, under construction at
Kiel, was damaged in air bombing during the
night of 1/2 July.

Italian
heavy cruisers ZARA, FIUME, and GORIZIA of the
1st Cruiser Division with destroyers ALFIERI,
CARDUCCI, ORIANI, and GIOBERTI and light
cruisers BANDE NERE and COLLEONI of the 2nd
Cruiser Division with destroyers MAESTRALE,
LIBECCIO, GRECALE, and SCIROCCO were at sea
covering the convoy. The convoy arrived safely
at Naples on the 4th.

_____

Convoy
HGY departed Gibraltar with twenty seven ships
escorted by French patrol vessel PRESIDENT
HOUDUCE from 2 to 14 July, destroyers WITCH from
2 to 10 July and VISCOUNT from 2 to 14 July.

Four
ships of the convoy carried service and civilian
refugees from France.

Destroyer
WESTCOTT escorted the convoy from 10 to 11 July.
The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 14th.

_____

Battleship
RODNEY, heavy cruiser NORFOLK, light cruiser
SOUTHAMPTON, anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY, and
all available destroyers at Scapa Flow were put
at two hours notice from 2200 to 0500/3rd.

After
delivering the minelayer, the destroyer
proceeded to Scapa Flow.

_____

British
minefield BS.20 was laid by minelayers
TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER and destroyers EXPRESS and
ICARUS.

_____

In
a raid from KESTREL Acting S/Lt (A) B. P.
Grigson and Acting S/Lt (A) F. L. Lees from a
Swordfish of 825 Squadron were killed over
Rotterdam. A second Swordfish of 825 Squadron
was shot down. S/Lt E. B. Kiddell was captured,
but was later shot and died of wounds while
trying to escape as POW on the 1st 1943. Leading
Airman H. W. V. Burt of Kiddell's plane was
killed in the crash. Two more Swordfish of the
Squadron were lost returning from the raid, but
the crews were rescued.

_____

British
tug QUEENS CROSS with barge MEDWAY in tow
encountered at 0315 what they identified as a
conning tower of a submarine six miles north of
Strathie Point. They did not report their
sighting until arriving at Scapa Flow at 0930.

Three
crew were missing from the Panamanian steamer.
Twenty one survivors were picked up by the
British steamer KING JOHN (5228grt). Three of
these survivors were missing after the steamer
KING JOHN was sunk on the 13th.

Steamer
ATHELLAIRD sank on the 3rd. The entire crew was
rescued by sloop SANDWICH.

_____

U.47
at 0610 sank British troopship ARANDORA STAR
(15,501grt), which departed Liverpool on the
1st, in 55‑20N, 10‑33W.

Troopship
ARANDORA STAR was carrying 176 crew, 254 troops,
and 1178 German and Italian civilians being
taken to America.

Canadian
destroyer ST LAURENT, which was detached from
the screen of battleship NELSON, rescued the
survivors.

Destroyer
ST LAURENT arrived in the Clyde at 0730/3rd.

Destroyers
WALKER and ECHO and patrol vessel JASON were
also ordered to the area.

Destroyer
ECHO was again ordered away from escorting
minelayer ATREUS.

Destroyer
FIREDRAKE was detached from the escort of
British liner ANDES (25,689) leaving destroyer
PUNJABI as sole escort of the liner.

When
it was learned the survivors had already been
picked up, destroyer FIREDRAKE was ordered at
1631 to return to the ANDES screen.

One
hundred and nineteen crew, one hundred and sixty
three troops, and five hundred and eighty six
aliens were rescued. The rest were lost.

_____

British
steamer AENEAS (10,058grt, Convoy Commodore), in
convoy OA.177G, was sunk by German bombing at
twenty miles southeast of Start Point.

Eighteen
crew were missing and three dead on the steamer
AENEAS. Survivors from steamer AENEAS were
rescued by destroyer WITHERINGTON.

The
wreck was sunk on the 4th eleven miles from 50N,
3W.

_____

British
steamer BARON RUTHVEN (3178grt) was damaged by
German bombing 50‑25N, 01‑27W.

_____

German
motor torpedo boat S.23 sank in tow after
striking a mine off Foreland.

Destroyer
WARWICK and Canadian destroyer SKEENA departed
Scapa Flow at 2245 on the 3rd to relieve
destroyer MASHONA and submarine tender BREDA.

Destroyers
WARWICK and SKEENA to report to the Commander in
Chief, West Approaches on arrival at Greenock on
the 5th.

_____

Destroyer
HAMBLEDON arrived at Scapa Flow at 2000 from
Portland to work up with the Commander in Chief
Home Fleet.

_____

Five
Skuas of 801 Squadron, escorted by three
Blenheims from 18 Group, departedHatston to
attack concentrations of German prepared boats
and oil tanks at Bergen.

All
five Skuas returned safely without sighting the
boats.

_____

A
submarine was reported off Marwick Head by shore
watchers. Anti-submarine trawlers COVENTRY CITY,
WHITEHORN, and BUTTERMERE, returning from their
search off Strathie Point, were dispatched to
search.

British
steam barge BIJOU (98grt) was sunk by German
bombing at Mistley Quay, near Harwich.

The
crew of the barge was rescued.

_____

Special
services ship JAMES 83 (397grt) was sunk as a
blockship.

_____

Convoy
OA.178 departed Southend on the 3rd escorted by
corvette CLARKIA from 3 to 6 July and destroyer
BROKE from 5 to 6 July.

This
was the last Channel routed OA.convoy.

_____

Convoy
OB.178 departed Liverpool on the 3rd escorted by
sloop LEITH from 3 to 7 July and destroyer
WHIRLWIND on 3 to 5 July.

Sloop
LEITH was detached to convoy HX.53.

Destroyer
WHIRLWIND was badly damaged by U.34 on the 5th
and scuttled after destroyer WESTCOTT took off
the crew.

_____

Mate
T. W. Cole of trawler DAMITO died of injuries on
this date.

_____

Convoy
OB.177G, which departed Liverpool on the 1st
escorted by destroyers VANOC and VOLUNTEER, and
convoy OA.177G, which departed Southend on the
1st escorted by destroyer VANESSA on the 1st and
destroyer WITHERINGTON on 1 and 2 July and
Plymouth on the 1st escorted by sloop
ENCHANTRESS and corvette CAMELIA, merged as
OG.36 with twenty one ships. The convoy was
escorted by sloop ENCHANTRESS from 3 to 8 July
when she was detached to convoy HG.37.

Destroyer
VANOC from convoy OB.176 joined the convoy on
the 1st. The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on the
8th with storeship PALOMARES and destroyer
VOLUNTEER. Fifteen ships of the convoy with
French troops for repatriation had had company
earlier and proceeded unescorted to Casablanca.

_____

Convoy
MT.101 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 4th.

_____

Convoy
FS.211 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloop
LOWESTOFT. The convoy arrived at Southend on the
4th.

_____

German
armed merchant cruiser KOMET departed Gydnia for
Bergen.

_____

Operation
CATAPULT was the British plan under which French
warships that would not come under British
control would be destroyed.

Destroyer
MISTRAL was partially scuttled by opening of the
sea valves by her crew.

Submarine
SURCOUF, berthed alongside Submarine THAMES, was
the scene of armed resistance. Cdr D. V.
Sprague, commanding officer of the THAMES, Lt P.
M. K. Griffiths, from submarine RORQUAL, a
British rating from battleship REVENGE, and a
French guard were killed in the take over of the
French ship.

_____

French
ships at Mer el Kebir were battleships DUNKERQUE
(Flagship of Amiral Gensoul, Capitaine de
Vaisseau H. J. M. Seguin) and STRASBOURG
(Capitaine de Vaisseau D. A. J. Collinet) of the
1st Line Division, battleships PROVENCE
(Flagship Contre Amiral Bouxin, Capitaine de
Vaisseau G. T. E. Barois) and BRETAGNE
(Capitaine de Vaisseau L. R. E. Le Pivain) of
the 2nd Line Division, large destroyers VOLTA
and MOGADOR of the 6th Large Destroyer Division
(VOLTA was the Flagship of Contre Amiral E. M.
La Croix, Commander of the 2nd Light Squadron),
large destroyer LE TERRIBLE of the 10th Large
Destroyer Division, large destroyers LYNX and
KERSAINT of the 4th Large Destroyer Division
(KERSAINT was under repair), and large destroyer
TIGRE, Seaplane tender COMMANDANT TESTE, sloop
RIGAULt DE GENOUILLY, and trawlers ESTEREL and
TERRE NEUVE.

French
ships at Algiers were light cruisers LA
GALISSONIERE, MARSEILLAISE, and JEAN DE VIENNE
of the 3rd Cruiser Division and GEORGES LEYGUES,
GLOIRE, and MONTCALM of the 4th Cruiser
Division, and large destroyers INDOMPTABLE and
MALIN of the 8th Large Destroyer Division and
FANTASQUE and AUDACIEUX of the 10th Large
Destroyer Division.

Destroyer
FOXHOUND, of Force H which departed Gibraltar on
the 2nd, anchored one mile from the Mer el Kebir
Channel and commenced negotiations with Amiral
Gensoul on battleship DUNKERQUE on the de
militarisation of the French ships.

When
negotiations failed, a general engagement ensued
and the French ships attempted to put to sea.

The
destroyers left first. Large destroyer MOGADOR
was struck by a 15 inch shell which detonated
her depth charges and blew off 100 feet of her
stern, killing three petty officers and thirty
five ratings. MOGADOR sank in the channel, but
was later salved.

Battleship
BRETAGNE was sunk with thirty six officers, one
hundred and fifty one petty officers, and eight
hundred and twenty five ratings killed as she
attempted to leave the harbour.

Battleship
DUNKERQUE was struck four times, including a hit
on her power supply, sustaining five officers
and forty one ratings killed.

Battleship
PROVENCE was hit and had two turrets knocked
out. One officer and two ratings were killed.

Two
Swordfish aircraft from ARK ROYAL were damaged
attacking battleship STRASBOURG. They landed in
the sea and their crews were rescued by
destroyer WRESTLER. The aircraft carrier was
screened by destroyers FEARLESS, FORESIGHT, and
ESCORT for these operations.

Off
the harbour, large destroyers LE TERRIBLE and
VOLTA attacked Destroyers FOXHOUND and FORESTER
without damage to either side.

Sloop
RIGAULt DE GENOUILLY was damaged by gunfire from
Light cruiser ENTERPRISE.

The
submarines at Oran changed berths during the
battle causing the British to think they were
preparing to go to sea.

Petty
Officer T. F. Riddler and his gunner Naval
Airman 1/c H. T. Chatterley of 803 Squadron were
lost when their Skua was shot down by a French
fighter.

Another
Skua of 803 Squadron was lost when force landed
into the sea near ARK ROYAL. Petty Officer H. A.
Glover and Naval Airman J. A. Burkey were picked
up by a destroyer FORESIGHT.

After
the bombardment, Force H drew away leaving
destroyer WRESTLER to watch the port, but French
battleship STRASBOURG and the destroyers leaving
port forced WRESTLER to withdraw.

Two
Swordfish of 818 Squadron were badly damaged and
force landed after attacking the STRASBOURG
force and one Swordfish was lost shadowing
STRASBOURG. Their crews were safely picked up.
Destroyer WRESTLER picked up the two crews of
810 Squadron.

French
battleship STRASBOURG with large destroyers
VOLTA, KERSAINT, TIGRE, and TERRIBLE and
destroyers BORDELAIS and LA POURSIUVANTE, which
had escaped from Mer el Kebir for Toulon were
joined at sea by the six light cruisers of the
3rd and 4th Cruiser Divisions, destroyers
L'INDOMPTABLE, LE MALI, LE FANTASQUE, and
L'AUDACIEUX which had departed Algiers on the
3rd.

British
carrier planes from aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL
attacked this force three times without success.

French
large destroyers VOLTA and TERRIBLE fired
torpedoes at long range at Battlecruiser HOOD
which was able to easy evade the torpedoes.

French
heavy cruisers ALGERIE, FOCH, and COLBERT with
destroyers VAUBAN, LION, AIGLE of the 1st Large
Destroyer Division, GUEPARD, VALMY, and VERDUN
of the 3rd Large Destroyer Division, TARTU, LE
CHEVALIER, and CASSARD of the 5th Large
Destroyer Division, and VAUTOUR, GERFAUT, and
ALBATROS of the 7th Large Destroyer Division
departed Toulon under the Command of C. A.
Derrien and joined the ships east of Minorca.

The
French ships arrived safely at Toulon at
2010/4th. Derrien's force arrived back at Toulon
at 0445 on the 5th.

British
Force H arrived back at Gibraltar that evening.

Also
departing on the 3rd was destroyer TROMBE from
Oran which arrived at Algiers on the 4th. On the
6th, the destroyer left and arrived at Toulon on
the 7th.

Destroyers
BRESTOISE and BOULONNAIS departed Oran on the
3rd and arrived at Algiers on the 4th. On the
6th, the destroyers departed and arrived at
Toulon on the 7th.

Destroyers
TRAMONTANE, TORNADE, and TYPHON departed Oran on
the 3rd and arrived at Algiers on the 4th. On
the 11th, they departed and arrived at Bizerte
on the 12th.

Sloops
LE CHAMOIS, L'IMPETEUSE, and LA BATAILLEUSE
departed Oran on the 3rd and arrived at Bizerte
on the 5th.

Seaplane
tender COMMANDANT TESTE departed Mers el Kebir
on the 4th and arrived at Arzew on the 4th. On
the 6th, she departed and arrived at Bizerte on
the 8th.

Destroyers
CASQUE and CORSAIRE departed Oran on the 7th and
arrived at Toulon on the 8th.

Sloop
L'ANNAMITE departed Algiers on the 8th and
arrived at Toulon the 10th.

Sloop
LA GRANDIERE departed Oran on the 7th and
arrived at Algiers on the 8th.

_____

Submarines
PANDORA and PROTEUS, which had been detached
from the Mediterranean Fleet to the North
Atlantic Command upon departing Malta for patrol
on 28 June, were off Mer el Kebir and Algiers.

Submarine
PROTEUS off Mer el Kebir sighted French seaplane
tender COMMANDANT TESTE, which was en route to
Toulon, but could not achieve an attack
position.

Submarine
PROTEUS was taken under attack by French large
destroyers TIGRE and LYNX.

Submarine
PANDORA off Algiers sank French sloop RIGAULt DE
GENOUILLY which was en route to Bizerte.

_____

French
submarines LE GLORIEUX and LE HEROS, the armed
merchant cruisers EL D'JEZAIR, EL KANTARA, EL
MANSOUR, and VILLE D'ORAN, and destroyers MILAN
and EPERVIER at Dakar were ordered to attack
British shipping as a reprisal for the Mer el
Kebir action.

On
the 5th, British steamers ARGYLL (2953grt),
GAMBIAN (5452grt), and TAKORADIAN (5452grt) and
Danish ships under British flag HARALD
(1970grt), TACOMA (5905grt), and ULRIK HOLM
(1502grt) were seized by these forces.

British
steamer TEMPLE PIER (4312grt) was seized at
Algiers by French Forces.

Steamer
TEMPLE PIER was renamed ST FERNAND for French
service.

_____

French
steamer CARAIBE (4048grt) departed Kilinini on
the 4th.

At
0612 on the 5th, Heavy cruiser KENT intercepted
the French ship in 6‑57S, 42‑19E.

Cruiser
KENT escorted the French ship to Mombasa
arriving on the 6th.

_____

Light
cruiser DRAGON departed Lagos to evacuated
Subjects from Santa Isabel on the 5th. These
subjects were removed and taken to Manoca,
arriving on the 6th.

The
light cruiser then proceeded to Duala, arriving
on the 7th, on similar duties. Despite Vichy
orderers, the French Governor stated he would
support the British and requested DRAGON to
remain at Duala.

_____

Destroyer
MASHONA at 0047 was ordered from Scapa Flow to
investigate a Swedish ship in the vicinity of
Clyth Ness.

This
steamer was found to be Danish steamer RAGNHILD
(2252grt) under British control. Destroyer
MASHONA escorted the steamer to Wick and then
returned to Scapa Flow.

_____

Destroyers
INGLEFIELD (D.3), IMOGEN, ATHERSTONE, and FERNIE
on anti-submarine exercises were ordered to
59‑24N, 1‑15W westward of Hoy to search for a
German submarine reported by aircraft of 612
Squadron at 1125.

By
midnight, no contact had been made and the
destroyers returned to Scapa Flow.

_____

Destroyers
TARTAR (D.6), BEDOUIN, ASHANTI, and MASHONA on
gunnery trials were ordered to 59‑10N, 5‑35W to
search for a German submarine reported by an
aircraft of 612 Squadron aircraft at 1310.

Following
this search, at 0600/5th, they swept towards
Fair Island Channel.

On
the 5th, battleship REVENGE met anti-aircraft
cruiser BONAVENTURE (Captain H. J. Egerton) and
troopships MONARCH OF BERMUDA (22,424grt),
SOBIESKI (11,030grt), and BATORY (14,287grt).
These five ships, which carried $1,750,000,000
in gold and securities from the Bank of England
for safekeeping in Canada, departed Greenock at
0545 on the 5th escorted by destroyer GARTH.

The
destroyers detached beyond the local approaches.
Destroyer GARTH returned to the Clyde.

The
British ships arrived safely at Halifax on the
12th.

Troopship
BATORY with engine room defects was detached to
St Johns escorted by anti-aircraft cruiser
BONAVENTURE which then continued on to Halifax.
Troopship BATORY arrived at Halifax on the 13th.

_____

Convoy
OA.178 was attacked by German bombers and motor
torpedo boats south of Portland Harbour.

Convoy
FN.212 departed Southend, escorted by sloops
BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 6th.

There
was no convoy FN.213.

_____

Convoy
MT.102 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 5th.

_____

Convoy
FS.212 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer
VALOROUS and sloop STORK. The convoy arrived at
Southend on the 5th.

There
was no convoy FS.213.

_____

British
dredger COQUET MOUTH (477grt) was sunk by mine
off Amble, two hundred and fifty yards east by
north of the South Pier.

Three
crew were lost on the dredger.

_____

British
fishing vessel REMEMBRANCE (7grt) was sunk on a
mine 51‑53N, 01‑22E.

The
crew of two were rescued.

_____

Convoy
HX.55 departed Halifax escorted by Canadian
destroyers ASSINIBOINE and OTTAWA which departed
at 0730 on an anti-submarine sweep.

Convoy
BHX.55 departed Bermuda on the 2nd with a local
escort of sloop PENZANCE and an ocean escort of
armed merchant cruiser RANPURA. The convoy
rendezvoused with HX.55 on the 7th and the armed
merchant cruiser was detached.

At
1913, armed merchant cruiser MONTCLARE joined as
ocean escort and at 2115, the local escort left
the convoy to return to Halifax.

Destroyer
WINCHELSEA joined the convoy on the 14th for the
day only. Sloop FOLKESTONE joined on the 14th
and was detached on the 18th when the convoy
arrived in Liverpool. Destroyer SKEENA joined on
the 15th for the day only. Corvette GARDENIA
joined the convoy on the 15th and was detached
on the 17th.

Fifty
six ratings and the NAAFI manager were lost on
the destroyer. Lt Cdr J. M. Rodgers, Lt C. R.
Bax, and twenty one ratings were wounded.
Destroyer WESTCOTT took off the survivors and
scuttled destroyer WHIRLWIND with gunfire.

Sloop
LEITH was also standing by. She then returned to
convoy OB.178.

_____

Destroyer
IMOGEN damaged her propellers in contact with a
submerged object in the Fair Isle Channel.

_____

British
corvette CALENDULA was damaged by near misses of
German bombing off Plymouth at 1413.

The
corvette returned to Plymouth.

_____

Six
Swordfish of 823 Squadron and nine Skuas of 801
Squadron departed Hatston to attack a damaged
merchant ship reported by a Hudson of 269
Squadron off the Norwegian coast.

No
contact was made, but returning Swordfish
attacked Submarine TETRARCH in 59-13N, 3-13E
mistaking her for a German submarine.

Five
torpedoes were launched, but no damage was done
to the Submarine.

_____

Destroyer
GARTH departed the Clyde at 1300 with minelayer
MENESTHEUS for Loch Alsh. The destroyer
continued on to Scapa Flow.

_____

British
minefield AW was laid in the Wash by minelayer
PLOVER and Dutch minelayer WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN
on 5 and 6 July.

_____

Convoys
OA.179 and OA.180 departed Methil escorted by
Canadian destroyer ST LAURENT from 9 to 13 July
and corvette HIBISCUS from 9 to 12 July. The
convoy passed through the Pentland Firth on the
10th.

_____

Convoy
OB.179 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer
WALKER and sloop DEPTFORD from 5 to 8 July. The
escorts were detached to convoy SL.37. The
convoy dispersed on the 9th.

_____

Convoy
FN.214 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers
VANESSA, VEGA, and WINCHESTER. The convoy
arrived at the Tyne on the 7th.

_____

Convoy
MT.103 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 6th.

_____

Convoy
FS.214 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer
WOLSEY and sloop EGRET. The convoy arrived at
Southend on the 6th.

_____

Convoy
FS.215 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer
WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. Destroyers JAVELIN
and JUPITER joined the convoy for 6 July. Patrol
sloop SHEARWATER joined on the 6th and arrived
with the convoy. The convoy arrived at Southend
on the 7th.

_____

Special
service ship EMERALD WINGS (2139grt) arrived at
Scapa Flow as a blockship and she was
subsequently deployed.

_____

U.99
sank Canadian steamer MAGOG (2053grt), a
straggler from convoy HX.52, 58 miles WSW of
Fastnet in 50‑31N, 11‑05W.

The
crew was rescued.

_____

Nine
Swordfish of 813 Squadron from aircraft carrier
EAGLE took off from Sidi Barrani and raided
Tobruk.

Italian
destroyer ZEFFIRO was sunk.

Italian
destroyer EURO was badly damaged and her bow was
blown off. She was later towed to Taranto and
repaired.

Aircraft
from aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL arrived at Mer
el Kebir and sank French auxiliary minesweeper
ESTEREL V (30grt). One petty officer and five
ratings were lost in the minesweeper.

French
auxiliary patrol boat TERRE NEUVE (780grt),
alongside DUNKERQUE, was sunk and her depth
charges exploded ripping a huge gash in
DUNKERQUE's side. Four officers and one hundred
and fifty ratings were killed or wounded. One
officer, one petty officer, and six ratings were
killed in the patrol boat.

Total
French casualties for the raids of 3 and 6 July
on Mer el Kebir were 1297 killed and 351
wounded.

Battleship
DUNKERQUE was repaired sufficiently to be moved
in February 1942. She arrived at Toulon on 19
February, escorted by destroyers FOUGUEUX,
FRONDEUR, KERSAINT, TARTU, and VAUQUELIN.

A
Skua of 803 Squadron was damaged by gunfire from
French fighters and ditched off Oran. Petty
Officer G. W. Peacock and Leading Airman B. P.
Dearnley were rescued.

_____

Light
cruisers CAPETOWN and CALEDON of the 3rd Cruiser
Squadron and destroyers JANUS, JUNO, ILEX, and
IMPERIAL bombarded Bardia from 0537 to 0631.
Italian steamer AXUM (249grt) was sunk and one
merchant ship was damaged.

At
0820, the force was attacked by Italian bombers,
but no damage was done.

Submarine
SEALION had attacked a German convoy off
Skudesnshavn in Boknafjord at 1550/3rd. She came
under heavy counterattack for forty five hours
and withdrew.

However,
submarine SHARK (Lt Cdr P. N. Buckley) coming
into the patrol area to relieve SEALION was
taken under attack at 2200 at 5 July and badly
damaged by German auxiliary minesweepers M.1803
(trawler SPITZBERGEN: 469grt), M.1806 (trawler
CUXHAVEN: 491grt), and M.1807 (trawler MULSUM:
480grt) in 58‑18N, 5‑13E.

Submarine
SHARK was able to get off a distress message at
2250 advising her location of 58-51N, 4-50E and
that she was unable to dive.

However,
SHARK was captured and sank in tow before the
British force could arrive. Lt Cdr Buckley, Lt
D. H. B. Barrett, Lt D. E. Wheeler, S/Lt R. D.
J. Barnes RNR, Warrant Engineer C. C. Loder
(act), and twenty seven ratings were captured
and taken prisoner. Two crew were killed and one
crewman was fatally wounded. Also, another
rating was killed 27 August 1940 when dealing
with an unexploded British bomb near the prison
camp.

By
1000, the destroyers had searched submarine
SHARK's track without success.

Destroyer
FAME was damaged at 1240 aft by the straddling
of a salvo of nine bombs twenty eight miles west
of Scotstoun Head.

Destroyer
FAME's speed was reduced to twenty knots.

Lt
(E) A. R. R. Knowles and two ratings were
killed, one rating died of wounds, and sixteen
ratings were wounded on destroyer FAME.

The
entire British force proceeded to Rosyth,
arriving at 2330. The force passed Oxcars Boom
at 0040/7th.

Destroyer
FAME began repairs at Rosyth completed 5
October.

The
British force departed Rosyth at 2015 on the 7th
for Scapa Flow, arriving at 0830/8th with
SOUTHAMPTON, which had conducted firing
practices, arriving at 1130.

_____

Destroyer
GARTH arrived at Scapa Flow at 1840 to work up.

_____

Convoy
FN.215 departed Southend, escorted by sloops
LOWESTOFT and WESTON and patrol sloop MALLARD.
Destroyers KASHMIR and KELVIN joined the convoy
for 7 July. Sloop MALLARD was detached on the
7th. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 8th.

_____

U.30
sank British steamer SEA GLORY (1964grt) south
of Ireland.

There
were no survivors and the fate of SEA GLORY is
not certain. She was reported missing on the
11th. She may have been sunk by U.34 on the 6th
or U.99 on the 7th.

_____

U.34
sank Estonian steamer VAPPER (4543grt) in
49‑30N, 09‑15W.

One
crewman was killed on the Estonian steamer. The
survivors were rescued by Canadian destroyer
RESTIGOUCHE.

_____

British
steamer APRICITY (402grt) was damaged by German
bombing south of Portland Bill.

Steamer
APRICITY in convoy OA.178 had been attacked on
the 4th, but not damaged.

The
convoy was escorted by sloop SANDWICH and
destroyer WANDERER from 7 to 10 July when they
were detached to convoy HX.54. Destroyers
HAVELOCK, HESPERUS, WOLVERINE, and WITHERINGTON
joined the convoy for 9 July, with the exception
of destroyer HESPERUS which escorted the convoy
on 9 and 10 July. Destroyer HIGHLANDER joined
the convoy for 10 July.

_____

Convoy
FN.216 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer
VALOROUS, sloop STORK, and patrol sloop
SHELDRAKE. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the
9th.

_____

Convoy
MT.104 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 9th.

_____

Convoy
FS.216 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloops
BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS and patrol sloop
MALLARD. The convoy arrived at Southend on the
9th.

_____

Convoy
HX.56 departed Halifax escorted by Canadian
destroyers OTTAWA and SAGUENAY at 0730.

The
destroyers turned over the convoy beyond the
local approaches on the 8th to Armed merchant
cruiser COMORIN and arrived back at Halifax
midmorning on the 8th. The armed merchant
cruiser was detached on the 20th.

Convoy
BHX.56 departed Bermuda on the 6th escorted by
ocean armed merchant cruiser AUSONIA. The convoy
rendezvoused with convoy HX.56 on the 11th when
the armed merchant cruiser was detached.

On
the 19th, destroyer WARWICK, sloops HASTINGS,
LEITH, and ROCHESTER, and corvette HEARTSEASE
joined the convoy. Sloop HASTINGS was detached
on the 20th. The remaining escort arrived with
the convoy at Liverpool on the 22nd.

_____

Convoy
HG.37 of twenty two ships departed Gibraltar
escorted locally by destroyers WISHART and
VIDETTE on 7 and 8 July.

Sloop
ENCHANTRESS from convoy OG.36 escorted the
convoy from 8 to 16 July. The convoy arrived at
Liverpool on the 16th.

_____

German
auxiliary submarine chaser UJ.D (trawler TREFF
VIII: 356grt) was sunk on a mine in 63-16N,
7-30E, laid by submarine NARWHAL on the 4th.

_____

U.30
arrived at Lorient. She was the first U-boat to
use a French port.

U-boats
U.34, U.52, and U.99 followed later in the
month.

_____

U.34
sank Dutch motor tanker LUCRETIA (2584grt) in
49‑50N, 08‑07W.

Two
crew were killed on the Dutch tanker. The
survivors were picked up by Portuguese steamer
ALFERRAREDE (1452grt).

Sloop
MILFORD delivered an ultimatum to the French
commander on RICHELIEU. The ultimatum was
rejected and at 0210/8th a motor launch from
aircraft carrier HERMES dropped depth charges
under the stern of RICHELIEU. The attack failed
due to shallowness of the water.

Three
hours later, six torpedo bombers of 814 Squadron
from HERMES attacked RICHELIEU. The battleship
was hit one of her propeller shafts was damaged
and three compartments were flooded.

At
1820/9th, Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA
departed the Dakar CATAPULt force and on the
11th rejoined the convoy she had escorted
earlier from Capetown. The convoy and heavy
cruiser AUSTRALIA arrived in the Clyde on the
16th and Scapa Flow on the 20th.

_____

Italian
air reconnaissance reported that two British
cruisers had arrived at Malta that day.

These
ships were Destroyer JERVIS which came from
Gibraltar and Destroyer DIAMOND which came from
Alexandria to assist in convoy operations from
Malta.

However,
the presence of these ships set into motion
considerable support for the Italian convoy at
sea.

_____

The
Italian convoy that had departed Naples the day
before was being covered by Italian light
cruisers BANDE NERE and COLLEONI of the 2nd
Cruiser Squadron (Admiral F. Casardi) and
destroyers MAESTRALE, LIBECCIO, GRECALE, and
SCIROCCO of the 10th Destroyer Division.

Italian
battleships CAVOUR and CESARE (Flagship Admiral
Campioni) with destroyers FRECCIA, SAETTA,
STRALE, and DARDO of the 7th Destroyer Division
and FOLGORE, FULMINE, BALENO, and LAMPO of the
8th Destroyer Division departed Taranto at
1410/7th for distant cover for the convoy.

Italian
light cruisers BARBIANO, GUISSANO, CARDONA, and
DIAZ of the 4th Cruiser Squadron (Admiral A. M.
Di Moriondo) and ABRUZZI and GARIBALDI of the
8th Cruiser Squadron (Admiral A. Legnani)
departed Taranto at the same time as the
battleship force with destroyers PIGAFETTI and
ZENO of the 15th Destroyer Division and DA
RECCO, PESSAGNO, and USODIMARE of the 16th
Destroyer Division.

Italian
destroyers VIVALDI, DA NOLI, and PANCALDO of the
14th Destroyer Division later departed Taranto
at 0618/9th to reinforce the Italian force.

However,
light cruisers DIAZ and CADORNA of the 4th
Cruiser Division and destroyers STRALE and DARDO
of the 7th Destroyer Division and destroyer DA
NOLI of the 14th Destroyer Division developed
mechanical defects.

The
destroyers were allowed to return to Taranto,
but the cruisers remained with the fleet.

_____

The
Mediterranean Fleet sortied from Alexandria to
cover convoys MS.1 and MF.1 coming from Malta.

British
steamer EASTWOOD (1551grt) was damaged by German
bombing one mile north of 20D Buoy, Hartlepool.

_____

British
steamer CORUNDUM (929grt) was damaged by German
bombing seven miles southwest of Folkestone.

_____

Anti-submarine
trawler CAYTON WYKE (550grt, Chief Skipper D. F.
Noble DSC RNR) of the 9th Anti-submarine Group
was reported lost on a mine off Dover, but may
have been sunk by German motor torpedo boat
S.36.

Noble
and Probationary Temporary Lt A. E. Brown RNR,
and sixteen ratings were lost on the trawler.

_____

Special
service ship JAMES 9 (85grt) was sunk as a
blockship.

_____

German
heavy cruiser LUTZOW while in dock at Kiel was
hit by a British bomb which did not explode.

_____

Force
H consisting of battlecruiser HOOD, battleships
RESOLUTION and VALIANT, aircraft carrier ARK
ROYAL, light cruisers ARETHUSA, DELHI, and
ENTERPRISE, and destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER,
FOXHOUND, ESCORT, FEARLESS, ACTIVE, DOUGLAS,
VELOX, VORTIGERN, and WRESTLER sortied from
Gibraltar to cover the Mediterranean Fleet. As a
diversion for the convoys leaving Malta, ARK
ROYAL was to launch an air raid against
Cagliari, but the raid was later cancelled.

Destroyer
ESCORT was taken in tow by destroyer FORESTER
and screened by destroyer FAULKNOR. In addition,
after safely delivering Force H to Gibraltar on
the 11th, destroyers KEPPEL, FORESIGHT, and
FOXHOUND returned to screen ESCORT's withdrawal.

However,
destroyer ESCORT was lost later that day when
she foundered in tow.

Two
ratings were lost and Commissioned Gunner F. E.
V. Mathews and twelve ratings were wounded in
ESCORT.

The
battle took place between the Mediterranean
Fleet and Italian Fleet units, both on convoy
escort missions.

Light
cruiser GLOUCESTER operated with aircraft
carrier EAGLE.

Italian
heavy cruiser BOLZANO was hit by three medium
caliber hits.

Italian
battleship CESARE (Flagship of Campioni) was hit
by one 381 mm shell.

Light
cruiser NEPTUNE was damaged at 1525 by a near
miss which damaged her aircraft and catapult.

Battleship
WARSPITE had a fire, caused by the flash of her
own guns which fired and demolished one of her
seaplanes.

Destroyers
STUART and VOYAGER attacked an Italian submarine
during the engagement.

Destroyers
NUBIAN, MOHAWK, JUNO, and JANUS were formed into
a group to fend off Italian ships that might
attempt to fire torpedoes at the British ships.

Submarine
PARTHIAN was at sea in the area during the
battle.

_____

Force
H was to have raided Cagliari. Before the raid
was launched, Force H was attacked by Italian
bombers south of Minorca. Battleship RESOLUTION
was straddled and battlecruiser HOOD was near
missed. The raid was cancelled.

_____

A
convoy of merchant ships, MF.1, consisting of
Egyptian steamer EL NID (7769grt), British
steamer KNIGHT OF MALTA (1553grt), and former
Italian steamer RODI (3220grt) put to sea from
Malta at 2300/9th escorted by destroyers
VENDETTA, JERVIS, and DIAMOND.

Light
cruiser GLOUCESTER and destroyer STUART also
arrived for refuelling. After refuelling, they
joined the convoy which was covered by light
cruisers ORION and NEPTUNE.

Destroyers
STUART, DAINTY, DEFENDER, HYPERION, HOSTILE,
HASTY, ILEX, and JUNO were detached to Malta to
refuel late on the 9th. They arrived at 0530 and
departed at 1115 on the 10th.

In
turn, destroyers HERO, HEREWARD, DECOY, VAMPIRE,
and VOYAGER were sent to Malta to refuel.

A
slow convoy, MS.1, of four merchant ships,
British steamers KIRKLAND (1361grt), TWEED
(2697grt), and MASIRAH (6578grt), former Dutch
steamer under British flag ZEELAND (2726grt),
and Norwegian steamer NOVASLI (3204grt),
departed Malta early on the 10th escorted by
destroyers DECOY, VAMPIRE, and VOYAGER.

At
2030/10th, battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN with
destroyers NUBIAN, MOHAWK, and JANUS were to
detached to refuel at Malta.

This
group sailed at 0800/11th with destroyers HERO
and HEREWARD. Destroyers HERO and HEREWARD later
were transferred to convoy MF.1 and destroyer
JANUS joined MS.1, replacing destroyer VAMPIRE.

On
the 11th, air attacks on the British ships saw
Gunner (T) J. H. Endicott on Australian
destroyer VAMPIRE badly wounded by bomb
splinters. He was transferred to destroyer
MOHAWK and died of wounds later that day.

On
the 12th, air attacks on the British ships saw
two ratings killed in LIVERPOOL and several
wounded, including Cdr J. J. Weld MVO.

On
the 13th, Light cruisers CALEDON and CAPETOWN of
the 3rd Cruiser Squadron met convoy MS.1 midway
between Cape Spada and Derna. These ships were
given heavy support by battleship RAMILLIES and
destroyers DIAMOND, HAVOCK, IMPERIAL, and
VENDETTA which departed Alexandria on the 13th.

At
0900/15th, battleship RAMILLIES, the 3rd Cruiser
Squadron, and the slow convoy arrived safely at
Alexandria.

Convoy
FN.218 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer
WOOLSTON, sloop FLEETWOOD, and patrol sloop
PINTAIL. The convoy was joined on the 10th by
destroyers JAVELIN and JUPITER. The two J
destroyers and the patrol sloop were detached
later on the 10th. The convoy arrived at the
Tyne on the 11th.

_____

Convoy
MT.105 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 11th.

There
was no convoy MT.106

_____

Convoy
FS.217 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer
VIMIERA and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy
arrived at Southend on the 10th.

_____

German
armed merchant cruiser KOMET sailed from Bergen
to raid in the Pacific. She reached this
destination by going around the north of Russia
assisted by Russian icebreakers.

Latvian
steamer TALVALDIS (534grt) in convoy CW.2 was
sunk by German bombing three miles 120° from
Prawle Point. One crewman was lost.

_____

British
steamer SAN FELIPE (5919grt) was damaged by
German bombing at Roath Docks, Cardiff.

_____

British
steamer KENNETH HAWKSFIELD (1546grt) was damaged
by German bombing in the Dover area.

_____

British
steamer POLGRANGE (804grt) was damaged by German
bombing in 51‑46N, 01‑46E.

_____

British
steamer EMPIRE DIAFFODIL (398grt) was damaged by
German bombing 13 miles SSW of Portland.

_____

Dutch
steamer JOLA (269grt) was damaged by German
bombing three miles SW of Start Point.

_____

Greek
steamer AEGEON (5285grt) was damaged by German
bombing at Weymouth.

_____

Submarine
PROTEUS arrived at Gibraltar after patrol off
Mer el Kebir.

_____

Convoy
SL.39 departed Freetown escorted by armed
merchant cruiser CORFU. When the cruiser was
damaged in a collision the next day with
aircraft carrier HERMES, armed merchant cruiser
DUNVEGAN CASTLE joined the convoy to 25 July.
The convoy merged with convoy SLF.39 on the
19th.

Armed
merchant cruiser DUNVEGAN CASTLE arrived at the
Clyde for refuelling and watering on the 26th.

On
the 25th, destroyers HESPERUS, RESTIGOUCHE, and
WALKER and corvette MALLOW joined the convoy and
escorted it Liverpool, arriving on the 29th.

Destroyers
TARTAR, ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, and MASHONA exercising
at Scapa Flow were ordered to search in the
area.

Destroyers
BEDOUIN and MASHONA remained in the vicinity of
Cape Wrath until the evening of 11 July when a
westbound convoy had passed the area. The
destroyers then proceeded to Scapa Flow.

_____

British
tanker TASCALUSA (6499grt) was sunk by German
bombing in Falmouth Harbour, alongside the
Northern Arm. Greek steamer MARI CHANDRIS
(5840grt), which had been towed to Falmouth in
June after a collision, was set afire by
TASCALUSA. The entire crew of the Greek steamer
was rescued. TASCALUSA was refloated on 29
August and beached at Mylor Flats for scrapping.

_____

British
steamer WATERLOO (1905grt) was sunk by German
bombing two and a half miles NE of Smith's Knoll
Bouy. The crew was rescued.

_____

Dutch
steamer BILL S. (466grt) was badly damaged by
German bombing six miles 260° from Dungeness
from convoy CW.3, escorted by destroyer
VERSATILE.

The
steamer sank 6.7 miles 67° from Dungeness.

The
entire crew was rescued.

_____

British
tanker British CHANCELLOR (7085grt) was damaged
by German bombing off Falmouth.

_____

Submarine
PANDORA arrived at Gibraltar after patrol off
Algiers.

_____

Aircraft
carrier EAGLE launched nine Swordfish of the 813
Squadron on an air attack on Augusta.

Italian
destroyer LEONE PANCALDO was sunk in harbour,
but was salved on 26 July 1941 and returned to
duty. A fleet oiler was damaged.

Convoy
HG.38 of six ships departed Gibraltar. The
convoy was escorted by destroyer VOLUNTEER from
10 to 18 July. Destroyer VOLUNTEER returned to
Gibraltar on the 10th to make good defects and
was relieved by destroyer VIDETTE. Destroyer
VOLUNTEER then returned to the convoy and
VIDETTE returned to Gibraltar. The convoy was
given escort by British corvette GLADIOLUS from
21 to 27 July. The convoy arrived at Liverpool
on the 27th.

_____

German
armed merchant cruiser WIDDER sank British
steamer DAVISAN (6433grt) in the Central
Atlantic at 18‑09N, 54‑40W, four hundred and
fifty miles north, northeast of Guadalope.

The
entire crew was made prisoners of war.

_____

Aircraft
carrier HERMES was damaged in a collision at
0302 with Armed merchant cruiser CORFU 130 miles
west, northwest of Freetown at 9‑10N, 15‑48W.

Heavy
cruiser DORSETSHIRE was in company of HERMES and
stood by these ships. CORFU had been escorting
convoy SL.39 which continued on without her.

The
two ships were locked together for just under an
hour and a half during which CORFU was almost
completely abandoned, 141 crew being taken
aboard HERMES. There were no casualties in
either ship. The armed merchant cruiser was
later reboarded by crew in HERMES' cutter.

Armed
merchant cruiser CORFU, towed stern first by tug
DONAU and escorted by sloop MILFORD arrived at
Freetown at 1330/13th.

Armed
merchant cruiser DUNVEGAN CASTLE was allocated
to escort convoy SLF.39, but sailed to escort
SL.39. Convoy SLF.39 when it did sail proceeded
unescorted, after a local one day escort of
sloop MILFORD.

Aircraft
carrier HERMES after emergency repairs departed
Freetown on 5 August and arrived at Simonstown
on 17 August with convoy RS.5, joined at sea by
Light cruiser DRAGON. HERMES had been designated
to participate in MENACE in September, but was
still under repair at Simonstown at that time.
HERMES did not leave Simonstown until 18
November and she arrived back at Freetown for
operations on 30 November.

Armed
merchant cruiser CORFU was under repair at
Freetown. She was intentionally run aground on
19 August to facilitate repairs to her bow. She
was finally repaired in early 1941.

Thursday,
11 July

British
minefield BS.23 was laid by minelayer TEVIOTBANK
and destroyers EXPRESS and ESK.

_____

Convoy
OB.182 departed Liverpool escorted by sloop
FOLKESTONE from 11 to 14 July. The sloop was
detached to convoy HX.55.

_____

Convoy
FN.219 departed Southend, escorted by sloops
BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 13th.

_____

Convoy
MT.108 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 12th.

British
steamer MALLARD (352grt) was sunk by German
motor torpedo boat S.26 between St Catherine's
Point and Beachy Head. Five crew and the naval
gunner were lost. Three crew were picked up by
the S-boat and made prisoners of war.

British
steamer KYLEMOUNT (704grt) was damaged by German
bombing ten miles west of Dartmouth.

_____

British
steamers PERU (6961grt) and CITY OF MELBOURNE
(6630grt) were damaged by German bombing in
Portland harbour.

_____

British
steamer ELEANOR BROOKE (1037grt) was damaged by
German bombing off Portland.

_____

Dutch
steamer MIES (309grt) was damaged by German
bombing seven miles south of Portland Bill.

_____

U.34
sank Norwegian steamer JANNA (2197grt), which
was a straggler from convoy HX.54, in 50‑34N,
12‑10W.

There
were twenty five survivors from the Norwegian
steamer.

_____

Convoy
HX.57 departed Halifaxat 0730 escorted by
Canadian destroyers ASSINIBOINE and SAGUENAY,
which were detached on the 12th.

At
2115 that evening, the destroyers turned the
convoy over to the ocean escort, armed merchant
cruiser ASCANIA, and returned to port. The armed
merchant cruiser was detached on the 23rd.

Convoy
BHX.57 departed Bermuda on the 10th escorted
locally by sloop PENZANCE and an ocean escort of
light cruiser EMERALD. The convoy rendezvoused
with convoy HX.57 on the 15th and the light
cruiser was detached.

On
the 23rd, destroyer WANDERER, sloops DEPTFORD
and SANDWICH, and corvette PERWINKLE joined the
convoy and remained until the convoy arrived at
Liverpool on the 26th.

_____

Australian
light cruiser SYDNEY arrived at Alexandria.

_____

Light
cruisers CALEDON and CAPETOWN departed
Alexandria to escort a convoy to Greece.

Armed
merchant cruiser DUNVEGAN CASTLE had been
allocated, but was diverted to convoy SL.39
after the collision of armed merchant cruiser
CORFU with aircraft carrier HERMES.

On
the 19th, the convoy merged with convoy SL.39.
The convoys were joined on the 25th by
destroyers RESTIGOUCHE, HESPERUS, and WALKER and
corvette MALLOW.

Both
convoys arrived at Liverpool on the 29th.

_____

German
armed merchant cruiser ATLANTIS sank British
steamer CITY OF BAGHDAD (7506grt) in the Indian
Ocean in 00‑14N, 86‑43E. Two crew were lost.
Eighty crew and one gunner were made prisoners
of war.

Friday,
12 July

Convoys
OB.181G, which departed Liverpool on the 10th
escorted by destroyer VANOC and sloop
SCARBOROUGH became convoy OG.37 with sixteen
ships. Convoy OA.181G did not sail from Methil.

Destroyer
VANOC escorted the convoy on the 12th.

Sloop
SCARBOROUGH escorted the convoy from 12 to 17
July when the convoy arrived at Gibraltar.

Anti-submarine
trawler LORD HOTHAM joined the convoy off
Gibraltar.

_____

Convoy
OA.183 departed Methil by sloop FOWEY. The
convoy passed Dunnet Head on the 13th, escorted
by sloop FOWEY and corvette CAMELLIA.

_____

Convoy
FN.220 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers
VIMIERA and VERDUN and sloop LONDONDERRY. The
convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 14th.

_____

Convoy
MT.109 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in
the Tyne on the 13th.

_____

Convoy
FS.220 departed the Tyne. The convoy arrived at
Southend on the 13th.

_____

Convoy
FS.221 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer
WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. Destroyers JACKAL
and JAGUAR and patrol sloop MALLARD joined on
the 13th. The two J destroyers were detached
later that day. The convoy arrived at Southend
on the 14th.

_____

U.56
attacked British steamer DUNERA (11,162grt) off
North Channel without damage being done. The
torpedo did strike DUNERA, but it glanced of
without exploding.

_____

U.99
sank Greek steamer IA (4860grt) in 51N, 14W.

Three
crew were lost on the Greek steamer.

_____

U.99
took in prize Estonian steamer MERISAAR
(2136grt). She was ordered to a French port, but
was sunk on the 15th by German bombing south of
Queenstown.

_____

British
steamer HORNCHURCH (2162grt) was sunk by German
bombing off Aldeburgh Light Vessel, in
52-11-15N, 1-52-30E.

The
entire crew was rescued by patrol sloop WIDGEON.

_____

British
trawler VOLANTE (255grt) was sunk by German
bombing ten miles east of Hvalbam, Faroe
Islands. The Master of the British trawler was
drowned.

The
master was Alfred George Coulam, whose body "was
taken to a northern port" (with thanks to his
niece Candice Baxter). Further research gives an
alternative loss position 10 miles S of Whale
Back Rock which is near the village of Hvalba in
the Faroes.

_____

British
steamer JOSEWYN (1926grt) was damaged by German
bombing eight miles west, northwest of St
Catherine'sPoint.

_____

Light
cruiser LIVERPOOL was near missed by Italian air
bombs. One rating was killed and two wounded by
a bomb that did not explode, but there was no
material damage.

A
Sea Gladiator of 801 Squadron from aircraft
carrier EAGLE, after shooting down an Italian
bomber, forced landed alongside cruiser
LIVERPOOL which picked him up.

Battleship
WARSPITE was attacked seventeen times between
0850 and 1150, but sustained no damage.

The
heavy cruiser escorted the transport for the
first thirty six hours and then returned to
Simonstown, arriving on the 15th.

Saturday,
13 July

Aircraft
carrier FURIOUS, escorted by destroyers
HAMBLEDON, ATHERSTONE, and FERNIE departed
Liverpool at 1800 for Prestwick to fly on
aircraft.

The
British ships then went on to Scapa Flow,
arriving at 0615 on the 14th.

_____

Convoy
CW.5 departed Dover escorted only by destroyer
VANESSA. The convoy was immediately taken under
German air attack between Dover and Eastbourne
and destroyer VANESSA was disabled by near
misses of air bombs.

Destroyer
VANESSA was towed by destroyer GRIFFIN to
Sheerness where VANESSA was repaired completing
on 4 November.

_____

Destroyer
TARTAR (D.6) departed Scapa Flow at 1015 for
Liverpool for docking repairs to asdic
installation and damage to propellers.

_____

A
redisposition of Destroyers in the North
Atlantic Command was made.

Destroyers
DOUGLAS, ACTIVE, WATCHMAN, KEPPEL, and VORTIGERN
left the North Atlantic Command on the 14th to
join the Home Fleet Command.

Destroyers
HOTSPUR and ENCOUNTER of the Home Fleet and
threeG class destroyers of the Nore Command were
to join the North Atlantic Command.

Three
worked up HUNT class destroyers were to leave
the Home Fleet and join the Dover Command.